How to Care for A Knee Wound

Injuries of the knee is not an uncommon issue. Compared to some other body parts, your knees are constantly moving, making it a part of the body requiring different treatments compared with other body parts when injured. Proper knee injuries care is essential considering this characteristic.

The importance of proper knee wound care

There are some benefits you might gain from performing proper knee wound care, such as:

It does not inhibit any movements your knees should make. Proper bandage application used for covering the wound is essential for this.

Proper wound care will minimize the formation of scabs, which in excessive amount may trigger infection and delay healing process, and may eventually inhibit free motions of the knees.

Caring for a knee wound

Although the principles for knee wound care are generally similar to any wound care in some other body parts, knee wound should be cared for properly to make sure knee movements and motions are not inhibited, or vice versa, to make sure these movements do not cause re-bleeding and wound tear. The most common types of knee wound are bruises and scrapes. There are various causes contributing to knee wounds, such as extreme sports, accidents, or surgical procedures. Minor knee wounds might be harmless, but more severe wounds or surgical lesions need to be paid more attention to. Some actions to be taken while taking care of knee wounds include:

Keeping the wound site clean anytime.

Any knee wound should be left clean and undisturbed. Clean any left debris and keep the wound covered with sterilized bandage for promoting undisrupted healing.

Inhibiting scab formation.

Since knees are the regions where motions are excessive and unavoidable, it is important to provide flexibility so that any motions will not be interrupted by any knee wounds. Scabs is one of many things that may inhibit motions in wounded knees. To avoid excessive scabs, it is important to keep the wound covered with a moist, breathable gauze that speeds up skin cell growth and minimizes scab formation.

Inhibiting scar tissues.

Scarring is a normal phase of wound healing. However, lesions on knee are susceptible to excessive scar tissue growth. This problem may trigger motion abnormalities that affect large lesions on knees. Hence, it is important to have large and deep wound on knees observed regularly to inhibit the formation of abnormal scar tissues. If you have knee wounds that are healing, it is important to give the wound site some regular exercises. Never let the scars tissues and scabs inhibit your knee motions by exercising healing knee in regular basis.

Controlling swelling.

Wounds located on legs or foot, which are lower than the heart rate are likely to undergo excessive swelling, considering excessive blood flow into the area. Swelling or inflammation is accompanied by pain and can be disturbing. In order to control swelling in any knee wounds, it is beneficial to perform the methods, such as:

Elevate the injured foot when the wound has been neatly bandaged. Elevating an injured knee by supporting it with a pillow will place it higher than the heart rate. This will inhibit blood flowing into the area and thus, inhibit excessive inflammation. Reduced inflammation will simultaneously reduce the resulted pain.

Putting on a cold compress onto the wound site will constrict blood vessels and tell the body to flood the wound site with white blood cells. This will reduce inflammation and minimize the resulted pain if done regularly.

Prevent infection

As a body part wherein movements are excessive, a wounded knee should get special attention. Wounds located on the knee can be easily re-bleed and re-opened, increasing the risk of infection. Covering the wound with petroleum jelly before covering it with sterilized gauze is beneficial for inhibiting scabs that will limit any movements. This will also keep the wound site moist and provide protective barrier to any infesting bacteria and external debris that may get into the wound and cause infection.

Changing the wound dressing regularly also keeps the wound site clean and hygienic and thus, prevent the risk of infection. Change this dressing twice a day, after taking a shower.

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